Project Kickoff & Team Formation

This entry demonstrates all markdown elements supported in the VEX Engineering Notebook.

Date: September 1, 2025

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Text Formatting Examples

Basic Text Styles

This is regular text. You can make text bold or italic or both bold and italic.

You can also use strikethrough text for corrections.

Links

Visit our VEX Robotics Website for more information.

Check out our GitHub Repository for code.

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Headers Hierarchy

H1 - Main Title

H2 - Section Header

H3 - Subsection Header

H4 - Minor Section

H5 - Small Header

H6 - Smallest Header

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Lists

Unordered List (Bullet Points)

• First item
• Second item
  • Nested item 1
  • Nested item 2
    • Deeply nested item
• Third item

Ordered List (Numbered)

1. First step
2. Second step
   1. Sub-step A
   2. Sub-step B
3. Third step

Task List (Checkboxes)

• Completed task
• Another completed task
• Pending task
• Another pending task

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Code Examples

Inline Code

To initialize a motor, use the motor.spin() function in your code.

The variable driveSpeed should be set between 0 and 100.

Code Block - Python

# VEX V5 Python - Autonomous Routine
def autonomous():
    # Initialize motors
    left_motor = Motor(Ports.PORT1)
    right_motor = Motor(Ports.PORT2)
    
    # Drive forward for 2 seconds
    left_motor.spin(FORWARD, 50, PERCENT)
    right_motor.spin(FORWARD, 50, PERCENT)
    wait(2, SECONDS)
    
    # Stop motors
    left_motor.stop()
    right_motor.stop()
    
    print("Autonomous completed!")

Code Block - C++

// VEX V5 C++ - Driver Control
void opcontrol() {
    while (true) {
        // Get joystick values
        int forward = Controller1.Axis3.position();
        int turn = Controller1.Axis1.position();
        
        // Tank drive control
        LeftMotor.spin(vex::forward, forward + turn, vex::percent);
        RightMotor.spin(vex::forward, forward - turn, vex::percent);
        
        // Small delay
        vex::task::sleep(20);
    }
}

Code Block - JavaScript

// Sensor Reading Example
function readSensors() {
    const distance = RangeSensor.distance(MM);
    const rotation = InertialSensor.rotation(DEGREES);
    
    console.log(`Distance: ${distance}mm`);
    console.log(`Rotation: ${rotation}°`);
    
    return { distance, rotation };
}

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Tables

Team Member Roles

Name	Role	Specialization	Experience
Alice Johnson	Team Captain	Strategy & Leadership	3 years
Bob Smith	Programmer	Autonomous Code	2 years
Carol Davis	Designer	CAD & Mechanical	2 years
David Lee	Builder	Assembly & Testing	1 year

Competition Results

Competition	Date	Rank	Skills Score	Notes
Regional Qualifier	Sep 15, 2025	3rd	145	Great autonomous
State Championship	Oct 20, 2025	8th	167	Mechanical issues
Nationals	Nov 12, 2025	TBD	TBD	Upcoming

Design Comparison Table

Feature	Catapult Design	Lift System	Claw Mechanism
Speed	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Accuracy	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Complexity	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Power Usage	Low	High	Medium

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Blockquotes

Important Note: Always test your robot in multiple environments before competition day.

Safety Reminder:

• Wear safety glasses when operating power tools
• Keep workspace organized and clean
• Never force mechanical components

Coach's Advice: "The best design is the one you can build reliably and maintain easily." - Coach Martinez

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Images

Robot CAD Model

Field Diagram

Team Photo

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Horizontal Rules

You can use horizontal rules to separate sections:

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Another way to create a horizontal rule:

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And another way:

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Emphasis and Strong Emphasis

This is emphasized text (italic).

This is strong text (bold).

This is both emphasized and strong.

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Math and Special Characters

Greek Letters (common in engineering)

• Δ (Delta) - Change or difference
• θ (Theta) - Angle
• ω (Omega) - Angular velocity
• π (Pi) - 3.14159...

Engineering Notation

• Torque: τ = r × F
• Velocity: v = d/t
• Acceleration: a = Δv/Δt
• Power: P = V × I

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Nested Lists with Mixed Content

1. Design Phase

   • Create initial sketches
   • Develop CAD models
     • Use Fusion 360 or Inventor
     • Export as STEP files
   • Review with team

2. Prototyping Phase

   • Gather materials:
     • Aluminum bars (1/8" thick)
     • Steel shafts (1/4" diameter)
     • Motors and sensors
   • Build proof of concept
   • Test and iterate

3. Final Build

   • Assemble chassis
   • Mount motors
   • Install sensors
   • Wire electronics
   • Program controller

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Complex Table Example

Motor Configuration Specifications

Motor Port	Motor Type	Gear Ratio	Purpose	Max Speed (RPM)	Torque (Nm)	Current Draw (A)
Port 1	V5 Smart Motor	18:1 (Red)	Left Drive	100	2.1	2.5
Port 2	V5 Smart Motor	18:1 (Red)	Right Drive	100	2.1	2.5
Port 3	V5 Smart Motor	36:1 (Green)	Lift System	50	4.2	3.0
Port 4	V5 Smart Motor	6:1 (Blue)	Intake	600	0.7	1.8

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Escaped Characters

You can escape special markdown characters:

*This text is not italic*

*This text is not bold*

# This is not a header

- This is not a list item

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Combination Example

Meeting Summary Table with Code

Meeting #	Date	Duration	Key Decision	Implementation
001	Sep 1	3h	Choose lift design	liftMotor.spin()
002	Sep 8	2.5h	Gear ratio 36:1	See code below

Implementation Code:

# Lift control implementation
def control_lift(height):
    target_rotation = height * ROTATION_PER_INCH
    LiftMotor.spin_to_position(target_rotation, DEGREES)

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Multiple Blockquotes

Design Principle #1: Simplicity is key

Design Principle #2: Test early, test often

Design Principle #3: Document everything

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Final Notes

This entry demonstrates all major Markdown elements:

✅ Headers (H1-H6) ✅ Text formatting (bold, italic, strikethrough) ✅ Lists (ordered, unordered, nested, task lists) ✅ Code blocks (inline and multi-line with syntax highlighting) ✅ Tables (simple and complex) ✅ Blockquotes ✅ Images ✅ Links ✅ Horizontal rules ✅ Special characters ✅ Escaped characters

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Entry Completed: September 1, 2025
Time Spent: 4 hours
Team Members Present: Full team (4 members)
Next Meeting: September 8, 2025